Weaning the chronically critically ill patient: The meaning of the weaning experience as perceived by nurse practitioners and patients in a respiratory care unit

Using a qualitative phenomenological method this study's structured interviews illuminate the meaning of the lived experience of chronically critically ill patients and nurse practitioners caring for them during weaning from mechanical ventilation.; Data verification was achieved through participants' confirmation of the content and interpretation of their transcribed interviews and then the analysis proceeded according to a qualitative phenomenological method. Four essential themes constituted the experience of patients during the weaning process, fear, finding meaning, self-care work, and making a difference. Three essential themes constituted the experience of nurse practitioners during the weaning process, role advantages, role stressors, and knowing the patient.; The care of chronically critically ill patients requires great knowledge and commitment and it is this researcher's opinion that the nurse practitioner role adds value to the patient's experience. Caring for the chronically critically ill population is stressful for caregivers; therefore, support groups and psychiatric consultants are recommended to help the caregivers cope with the stress associated with the care of this patient population. Continued examination of chronically critically ill patients and their caregivers is warranted along with studies both quantitative and qualitative on this growing, vulnerable segment of the population and the nurses who care for them. In these times of change, financial reduction, and professional shortages, quantitative and qualitative nursing research studies could reveal important knowledge that can be used to implement evidence based practices to better understand the patients' lived experience and improve their care. In spite of the fact that research that examines the care of the chronically critically ill patient is not a new concept, little was known about the perceived lived experience of patients and nurse practitioners during the weaning process. This phenomenological study elucidated meaning about their lived experience. Although results of qualitative studies should not be generalized to broader populations, it is this researcher's opinion that the knowledge illuminated in this study may be of benefit to the nursing profession.